Threats of ‘Purge’-like violence spread on social media

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Authorities are on alert after images began circulating online last week claiming that several cities will experience a night of legal violence just like in the movie “The Purge.”

In the horror film, there is a 12-hour period one night a year when all crime — including murder — is completely legal.

“The Purge” social media prank began gaining national attention last week when a teen posted a tweet of an image he created saying a purge would take place in Louisville, Ky., Friday night, according to WAVE 3 News. Louisville police took the threat seriously and increased patrol on the night of the alleged purge.

Around the same time the Louisville teen posted the threat on Twitter Wednesday, a screenshot from a fake news site claiming that 112 people in Chicago had been killed when a group of teens decided to re-enact the horror movie was heavily reblogged on Tumblr.